PIFC: Naomh Abán edge out Ballinora to leave all four teams in quarter-final contention

Naomh Abán 3-12 (3-2-8) Ballinora 2-12 (2-2-8) 

Naomh Abán got their McCarthy Insurance Group Premier IFC campaign right back on track following a crucial victory over Ballinora at Carrigadrohid on Saturday evening.

This victory for Naomh Abán means that it is all up for grabs going into the final match day in this particular group.

Naomh Abán play Nemo Rangers in the final round of matches, with Ballinora facing off against Fermoy. With all sides level on two points each, there are almost certain to be plenty of twists and turns on ahead on September 12.

The 2025 Intermediate A champions Ballinora have adjusted well to the this grade. They got off to a promising start courtesy of early points by Ivan Quirke and Michael Quirke.

Naomh Abán, who made the PIFC semi-finals last year, duly responded in clinical fashion. A charging run and pass by Dónal Ó Ceallaigh picked out Pearse Ó Liatháin, who slotted home to the back of the net from close range.

A cracking two-pointer by Shane Kingston edged Ballinora back ahead. That was before the talented Ed Ó Mir split the posts for Naomh Abán, to see the teams level at 1-1 to the 0-4 of Ballinora after 15 minutes.

There was then a strong wave of Ballinora momentum as they landed the next four scores in a row. Kingston added to his own tally in what was a productive individual opening half, with Kevin Werner and Quirke also chipping in with points.

In the context of the contest, Naomh Abán got two crucial scores before the break as Ó Mir and Jim Hendy both split the posts.

Ballinora led 0-8 to the 1-4 of Naomh Abán at the interval, but this contest was still very much all up for grabs.

Points by Donal Ó Ceallaigh and Sean Ó Ríordáin saw Naomh Abán edge in front. Then some slick passing saw Naomh Abán land a second goal of the contest on 38 minutes.

Donal Ó Ceallaigh and Ed Ó Mir linked up well, before Darragh Ó Laoire planted the ball into the net with a sweetly taken strike.

When Caoimhín Ó Donnchú landed over a lovely two pointer on 45 minutes, Naomh Abán led 2-9 to 0-9 and were in a commanding position.

Ballinora are a club growing in momentum and they found another tidal surge, as Kingston slotted over another two, Heading into the final 10 minutes this contest was on a knife edge. 

Ballinora reduced the deficit between the sides back down to the minimum, as Mark O’Brien found the bottom corner with a sweet strike, before a James Keohane point saw the sides level, at 2-9 to 1-12.

With the finish line in sight Naomh Abán charged home. Once again Ó Mir proved why he is such a crucial asset with crucial scores.

In second half stoppage time the icing was on the Naomh Abán cake, as Donal Ó Ceallaigh slotted home from close range.

Quirke got a late Ballinora goal, but it was too late to turn things around in this enthralling duel.

Scorers for Naomh Abán: E Ó Mír 0-5 (1 2pt, 0-2f), Dónal Ó Ceallaigh 1-1, D Ó Laoire, P Ó Liatháin 1-0 each, C Ó Donnchú 0-3 (1 2pt), J Hendy 0-2, S Ó Riordáin 0-1.

Ballinora: S Kingston 0-6 (2 2ptf), I Quirke 1-1, M O’Brien 1-0, K Werner (2f), M Quirke 0-2 each, J Keohane 0-1.

Naomh Abán: G Ó Luasa; E Ó Críodáin, C de Róiste, S Tinsley; C Ó Luasa, S Ó Ríordáin, D M Ó Loingsigh; J Ó Donnchú, C Ó Donnchú; S Ó Loingsigh, D Ó Laoire, P Ó Liatháin; Dónal Ó Ceallaigh, E Ó Mír, W MacCarthaigh.

Subs: J Hendy for D M Ó Loingsigh (21), A Ó Luasa for W MacCarthaigh (HT), C Ó Críodáin for P Ó Liatháin (42), Dermot Ó Ceallaigh for S Ó Loingsigh (54).

Ballinora: A McAllen; A Laverty, C O’Flynn, T Forde; D Dineen, M Lordan, S O’Neill; S Kingston, J Lordan; M O’Brien, I Quirke, I Wycherley; M Quirke, J Keohane, K Werner.

Subs: L Lyons for Wycherly, C O’Donoghue for S O’Neill (both 39), C Quirke for D Dineen(47), J Trench for M Lordan (57) 

Referee: Brian Coniry(Crosshaven)